- 1And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
- 2And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
- 3Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
- 4And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?
- 5Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
- 6But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
- 7And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
- 8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
- 9And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
- 10And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.
- 11And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
- 12And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
- 13And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
- 14And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.
- 15Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.
- 16And when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
- 17Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.
- 18So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.
- 19Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?
- 20And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.
- 21But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.
- 22So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.
- 23And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cæsarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
- 24And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
- 25And he wrote a letter after this manner:
- 26Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
- 27This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.
- 28And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:
- 29Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
- 30And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.
- 31Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.
- 32On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:
- 33Who, when they came to Cæsarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.
- 34And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;
- 35I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s judgment hall.
KING JAMES VERSION
ACTS 23
Read the chapter, follow a linked verse, and continue into related Watchman 33 teaching.
CHAPTER VISUAL
Acts 23 — After conflict in the council and a deadly conspiracy, the Lord’s promise and a young man’s warning carry Paul safely toward Caesarea and his future witness at Rome.
About this illustration
The nocturnal escort visualizes the providential outcome of the council, promise, plot, and warning. The hidden conspirators remain distant silhouettes, and the commander’s letter is not shown with invented writing.
Scripture basis: Acts 23:1–35King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
EXPLORE THE MESSAGE
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Archaeological Evidence
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArchaeological site
Founded approximately 22–10 BC; expanded through Roman and Byzantine periods
Caesarea Maritima Harbor and Herodian City
Excavation on land and underwater reveals the harbor, promontory palace, theater, entertainment district, streets, and water systems that made Caesarea the Roman administrative and maritime center repeatedly used as a setting in Acts.
Acts 8:40 · Acts 10:1–48 · Acts 21:8–16
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArchitecture
Late first century BC–first century AD
Herod’s Praetorium at Caesarea
The promontory palace projecting into the Mediterranean at Caesarea began as a lavish Herodian residence and was repeatedly adapted within the Roman provincial capital, making it the leading archaeological candidate for the praetorium where Acts places Paul's custody and hearings.
Acts 23:33–35
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
3rd Century
Papyrus P48: Acts 23:11–17 in a Greek Witness
Papyrus P48, PSI X 1165 in Florence, is an early-third-century Greek codex fragment preserving Acts 23:11–17 and 23:25–29, from Paul's night vision through the plot and Claudius Lysias's letter.
Acts 23:11–17 · Acts 23:25–29
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArchaeological site
Hellenistic–Byzantine periods; Herodian foundation in the first century BC
Antipatris at Tel Aphek
Excavations at Tel Aphek document the Roman city of Antipatris, the overnight station named in Paul’s guarded transfer from Jerusalem to Caesarea.
Acts 23:23–33
Sermons
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
In “The Baptism of the Holy Spirit,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about holiness, gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit. Drawing especially from Acts 23, Matthew 16, Matthew 16, Isaiah 28, the teaching emphasizes that God calls believers to reject compromise and pursue practical holiness. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit to build up the church and serve God’s purposes.
Bible ProphecyHoly Spirit and Spiritual GiftsScripture AloneChristian Living
View sermon The Offense of the Cross
In “The Offense of the Cross,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about the cross and Christ’s blood, bitterness and forgiveness, faith. Drawing especially from Matthew 24, 1 Corinthians 13, Revelation 21, John 3, the teaching emphasizes that Christ’s sacrifice and shed blood are presented as the foundation of redemption, forgiveness, and victory over sin. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that unresolved offense can become bitterness, while forgiveness releases judgment to God and protects the heart.
Doctrine and DiscernmentSalvation and the GospelSpiritual Warfare
View sermon